Räikkönen content with latest podium result

Kimi Räikkönen was pleased to have achieved another rostrum finish in the European Grand Prix as the Ferrari driver took the chequered flag third in Valencia. The result marks the Finn's hat-trick of podiums for the 2009 season and the second in succession as the summer break came to a close this weekend.

Having finished third in Monaco and second in Hungary, another third place came as welcome reward for Ferrari and Räikkönen as the Finn drove a strong race after retiring with engine failure in 2008. "We needed to go at one-hundred percent all the time," said the Champion of two years ago. "I had a good feeling with the car; from Friday, it was working on the long stints and I was hoping it would be okay in the race - it turned out to be good."

As rumours continue to circulate of his future with the Scuderia, Kimi is focusing on the present and remains a realist. "We know we are not where we need to be - we are a little behind - but if something weird happens in the race then maybe we can even fight for the win.

"It was a good weekend for me and I am happy to score a podium; the first aim was to keep Rosberg behind - the car was very good and I could do exactly the same lap time (consistently). I saw that I was catching him a bit but I had a little bit of traffic, so it cost me some time. I put in a few good laps when we came in and it was enough - the last stint was just staying in third and the car was very nice to drive."

Source: GP Update